Double Bass Half the battle is just showing up!

[Andy Mopley]

From an amateur view point...considering how many (better) players I have played with who didn't have the music with them, turned up late (if at all), didn't advise, didn't bother to agree on bowing...I am not surprised at how true this statement continues to be. Do other people struggle with finding section members as well?

Whilst I have (and don't mind) been on my own, I do find that there is an extra level of attention required - nowhere to hide!! Not that you should in any case...

Rant over.

 

[Wasnex]

Working hard and being prepared tends to go a long way. However, super talented individuals tend to get lots of passes, even if they are unreliable. This can be infuriating, but it's just part of life. There are also lot's of people who lack both talent and a strong work ethic (posers). Some of them get lot's of work because they are willing to work for less and can play a lot of material (although they tend to play it rather poorly IMHO). Apparently a lot of people don't care.

Ultimately you find your own path.

 

[Anthony White]

The writer Neil Gaiman talked about getting hired. He suggested three attributes: you can produce great work; you can always deliver on time (or be on time); and you can be a good person to work with. He suggested you needed to do a minimum of two of those things consistently to be hired consistently.

 

[CryingBass]

Over many years of hiring and firing, my 3 must-haves are, in this order, Honesty, Work ethics, then Skills.

Take one away and you have a smart hard working crook, an honest hard worker with no chops, a skilled honest slouch, etc.

Working with and trying to achieve all 3? A pleasure.

 

[David Potts]

I cannot recall where I once read a list of popularity of instruments to learn that placed Double Bass almost at the bottom - I think the bottom was Tuba. My impression is that the bass, in all its forms of genre, is a far more active and attractive instrument in American musical life than here in Australia. Prior to Covid a teacher of violin, flute , piano or singing in Sydney could easily fill their books seven days a week. Lots of schools, especially the wealthier private ones, had very healthy music departments and ensembles as extra-curricular activities (like sports, etc). We also have youth orchestras, the best organisation being Sydney Youth Orchestra that advances young players in stepped ensembles towards selection for the Australian Youth Orchestra as a pathway towards being professionals. So, we do have quite a lot of school-age bass students however this still only translates to a few school-leavers interested in auditioning for the degree course at our Conservatorium of Music and a career in music. Most of the bright advanced ones look first to medicine, economics, commerce, law (money, jobs, status.......). For all the time, effort and money spent by parents on bass lessons very few ex-students go on to play in amateur orchestras unless it is later in their careers. I play as a guest in the NSW Doctors Orchestra that calls itself Musicus Medicus.

Why all the preamble above? We just don't have a big enough pool of capable older amateur bass players interested in orchestral music ! In Sydney I can think of twenty-one organisations who would love to have more strings, especially violas and bass players. The young aspirants at the Conservatorium are not interested in mere petrol money. At the end of my career as a professional who was until recently paid to come in and play with some of these orchestras I decided to join one of the best that rehearses and performs ten minutes away. Two basses trying to balance an orchestra of 45 is to suddenly reduce to one - me !! My stand partner is bailing out to finish studying for an advanced Commercial Pilot's Licence - 5 subjects to go.

Cheers, Andy, your thread is timely as it reminds me to get off my butt and find a new member or two for my orchestra.

 

[jj.833]

Honesty, Work ethics, then Skills

I've read it Honesty, Work ethics, then Silks

(Sorry, my bad.)

 

[Leif Dering]

I'm in a weird spot between high school and college and trying to figure out my own path in music as a career and I find I get a lot of work just because I'm available and I show up on time. I'm at a point where I can sight read well enough and practice efficiently enough to be able to get a lot of stuff down by the second/third rehearsal and I've gotten a lot of nice compliments because of it.

I don't know. I don't think I'm superbly talented or anything. I just like playing and practicing and I got decent at bass because of it.

 

[ILIA]

The writer Neil Gaiman talked about getting hired. He suggested three attributes: you can produce great work; you can always deliver on time (or be on time); and you can be a good person to work with. He suggested you needed to do a minimum of two of those things consistently to be hired consistently.

There's a fourth for musician circles: you bring the good weed. (but not as important today because some states are lifting prohibition)

 

[AGCurry]

There's a fourth for musician circles: you bring the good weed. (but not as important today because some states are lifting prohibition)

I have enough trouble counting rests in Shostakovich when I'm sober as a judge!